15 replies to this topic

[Yams]

I want one after winter, but not really as a project, since there is enough to do on the mini! Anyone owned one/driven one before? What was your experience with it?

 

 

 

Huge pic.

 

Cheers

Yams

[The Matt]

A mate of mine has just bought an Amazon Estate.

 

I think they're a stunning car, really stylish.  Not sure if I've ever driven one though, or if I have, I can't remember!

[bikewiz]

I've had 4. One of them was a black coupe like the one in the picture, 2 wagons, one 4 door. Great cars not as rust prone as a mini but still suffer from it. Positive points (1)You'll be familiar with the the dual SU's. (2) They have great heaters (3) The B18 motor will last nearly forever I had one that did 350K or you can slot in a B20 from a later 140 series easy. (4) easy to work on (5) Pretty fast on the highway/motorway if you find one with overdrive they were called 123GT over here (6) Nearly bullet proof. Negatives (1) most are worn out now because you could drive them with little or no up keep (2) They're getting to be nearly as old as MK1 minis (3) parts are becoming harder to find (4) It doesn't handle like a mini.

I toy with the idea of getting another but have yet to find a nice driver. I'll look and see if I still have some photos of my fleet.

 

Forgot to say the steering wheel is gigantic it makes them very easy to drive.

Edited by bikewiz, 15 December 2014 - 11:48 AM.

[Yams]

That would be great if you had some photos. I'm finding it quite hard to actually find them for sale, let alone in my price bracket. They are either pretty beat or they are  big money. Thats one of the reasons i wanted it, for motorway driving, and perhaps something to tinker with if i ever get shot of the mini.

 

I watched a video of someone doing an engine swap and it looked so much easier than doing a mini. they don't seem as fiddley.

[Cooperman]

Great classic car. I nearly bought a 123GT in 1966, but decided on a Cortina GT instead. Still not sure that was the right decision.

They were a top rally car in the early '60's, but were best on gravel or snow. Very, very strong and reliable.

 

In 'carandclassic':

 

Excellent Volvo Amazon 122S 2 door coupe (1970)

Daily driver for past 4 years. Has never let me down. Excellent condition all round, full respray this summer in original red (2-pack, hence will not fade), no rust, no mechanical issues, and excellent .....

• £6000
• 06-Nov-2014
• Surrey
• Private

An alternative for the same sort of price could be a Sunbeam Rapier from around 1963.

Edited by Cooperman, 15 December 2014 - 09:53 PM.

[bikewiz]

Here is an old picture of my "fleet"

Edited by bikewiz, 16 December 2014 - 03:03 AM.

[Baldspeed Racing]

Guy Martin has got one of these slightly tweaked looks spot on :)

[Turbo Nick]

A mate of mine has just bought an Amazon Estate.

 

I think they're a stunning car, really stylish.  Not sure if I've ever driven one though, or if I have, I can't remember!

 

 

I've sat on the boot of that same one and had a picnic, that's about as close as I've ever been to one though.

 

Really are nice looking cars though :)

[Cooperman]

There are some historic rally ones and we Mini competitors always say to their owners "Looks like a tank, goes like a tank, drives like a tank, my God, it is a tank". The drivers are normally addressed as 'Tank Commander', but my goodness, they sure are quick on gravel roads.

Solid as a brick-built outhouse (I think that is the word).

[sonikk4]

Have seen the odd one or two tuned by the mad Swedes. T5 engine and boosted to the max. Now keep that looking bog stock and you have a proper sleeper.

 

Heres one thats as mad as a box of frogs

 

http://www.carscoops...horsepower.html

[Turbo Nick]

That's the one Guy Martin bought, nice car!

[jamesmpi]

That's the one Guy Martin bought, nice car!

Yep it's an absolute beast

Edited by jamesmpi, 22 December 2014 - 07:50 PM.

[Yams]

 

Great classic car. I nearly bought a 123GT in 1966, but decided on a Cortina GT instead. Still not sure that was the right decision.

They were a top rally car in the early '60's, but were best on gravel or snow. Very, very strong and reliable.

 

In 'carandclassic':

 

Excellent Volvo Amazon 122S 2 door coupe (1970)

Daily driver for past 4 years. Has never let me down. Excellent condition all round, full respray this summer in original red (2-pack, hence will not fade), no rust, no mechanical issues, and excellent .....

• £6000
• 06-Nov-2014
• Surrey
• Private

An alternative for the same sort of price could be a Sunbeam Rapier from around 1963.

 

 

Hopefully i'll be going to see this exact one after Christmas.

[Midas Mk1]

Was watching a car sos the other day with one, look awesome! 

[Ben_O]

Was watching a car sos the other day with one, look awesome! 

I was just going to put up a link to it as i am watching it now!!

 

Too late...